Well assembly coupling

Abstract

Assemblies that can be disposed in a subterranean bore and that can facilitate branch wellbore creation are described. An assembly can include threadedly coupled components having inner and outer sealing members in grooves. The sealing member can cooperate with the components to provide a pressure seal. The assembly can also include a venting member for equalizing pressure in a chamber defined by the coupled components. One of the components can be made from aluminum. At least part of that component can be coated with a coating material that is nonconductive.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An assembly for a casing string capable of being disposed in a bore of a subterranean formation, the assembly comprising:
 a first component; 
 a second component coupled to the first component to define an inner region, the first component configured for being easier to mill than the second component, wherein the second component coupled to the first component comprises an outer diameter that is equal to or less than an outer diameter of a portion of the casing string to which at least one of the first component or second component is coupled; 
 an inner sealing member; 
 an outer sealing member, wherein the inner sealing member and the outer sealing member are capable of cooperating with the first component and the second component to provide a pressure seal between the inner region and an environment exterior to the first component and the second component; 
 wherein the first component is made from aluminum and comprises an inner wall having threads for coupling to the second component; 
 wherein the threads are coated by a coating material capable of being between the threads and the second component when the threads are coupled to the second component, the coating material being nonconductive. 
 
     
     
       2. A casing joint of a casing string capable of being disposed in a bore of a subterranean formation, the casing joint comprising:
 a first component; 
 a second component coupled to the first component to define at least one chamber between the first component and the second component, the first component configured for being easier to mill than the second component, wherein the second component coupled to the first component comprises an outer diameter that is equal to or less than an outer diameter of portion of the casing string to which at least one of the first component or second component is coupled; 
 a venting member in fluid communication with the at least one chamber and in fluid communication with an area outside of the second component coupled to the first component; 
 wherein the first component is made from aluminum and comprises an inner wall having threads for coupling to the second component; 
 wherein the threads are coated by a coating material capable of being between the threads and the second component when the threads are coupled to the second component, the coating material being nonconductive. 
 
     
     
       3. An assembly for a casing string capable of being disposed in a bore of a subterranean formation, the assembly comprising:
 a first component made from aluminum and comprising an inner wall having threads for coupling to a second component to (i) define an inner region, (ii) define an outer diameter, and (iii) provide a pressure seal between the inner region and an environment exterior to the first component and the second component, 
 wherein the outer diameter is equal to or less than an outer diameter of portion of the casing string to which at least one of the first component or second component is configured to couple, 
 wherein the threads are coated by a coating material capable of being between the threads and the second component when the threads are coupled to the second component, the coating material configured for being nonconductive. 
 
     
     
       4. The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the first component comprises an outer wall having a second coating material disposed on at least part of the outer wall, the second coating material being at least one of more corrosion resistant than aluminum or nonconductive. 
     
     
       5. The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the coating material and the second coating material are the same type of material. 
     
     
       6. The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the threads are capable of being coated by the coating material by at least one of:
 soft anodize coating; 
 electroless nickel plating; 
 anodized coating; or 
 thermal spray coating. 
 
     
     
       7. The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the coating material comprises at least one of:
 polytetrafluoroethylene; 
 a plastic; 
 a ceramic; 
 a non-conducting material; or 
 a metal. 
 
     
     
       8. The assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 the second component coupled to the first component, the first component configured for being easier to mill than the second component; 
 an inner sealing member disposed in a first component groove; and 
 an outer sealing member disposed in a second component groove, 
 wherein the inner sealing member and the outer sealing member are capable of cooperating with the first component and the second component to provide a seal between the inner region and the environment exterior to the first component and the second component. 
 
     
     
       9. The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the second component coupled to the first component defines at least one chamber between the first component and the second component,
 wherein the assembly further comprises a venting member capable of being in fluid communication with the at least one chamber and in fluid communication with an area outside of the first component and the second component.